Beautiful, Dirty, Rich (Monsta X Fanfiction)

Chapter Four: Uncertainty in the Dark

"You're going to come to our booth, right?" I asked as Shownu sat across from me. We were having dinner at a Dim Sum place. He was craving Chinese, and I was willing to eat whatever he wanted.

"I'll try," Shownu replied, "But I have so much to do..." he poked at his food, now lost in his mind, "The school wants me to give a speech at the opening and closing. And they also want me to entertain the alumni all day."

I hung my head a bit, staring at my plate. The food was amazing, but suddenly I wasn't so hungry. The disappointment was oddly overwhelming.

"But I'll try," Shownu said, touching my hand. "I'm sure you're going to look beautiful in the costume. I'm jealous that so many guys are going to be staring at you all day."

I blushed, taking a bite of my bao to hide that I was flustered.

'Not many guys will be staring at me, I'm not that pretty.'

Our patrons will probably be staring at Hyeri and the others.

"I'm sure it's stressful being the Prince, huh?" I asked, wanting to change the subject, "You have so many responsibilities, everyone's always watching you..."

Shownu shrugged, "My life has always been like that, so I'm used to it. Ever since I was a kid, my parents have expected a lot out of me," he stared intensely at his plate, "I'm supposed to inherit the Sohn empire, the second wealthiest Empire in Korea. So I've got to watch my every step," he let out a sigh, "And for the most part, I don't get to make that many decisions."

'That must be stressful.'

I didn't envy Shownu's position in life. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, while I don't have much to stress about besides bullies. I was the only child in my family, so I was going to inherit the coffee shops by default. There was no pressure, and my parents weren't overbearing.

I guess that made my life easy.

"So, since your whole life has been decided for you..." I trailed off. Shownu watched me as he waited for me to form a whole sentence, "Does that mean... are you..."

I didn't know how to ask if he was going to have an arranged marriage.

Maybe that was too much information for me to know?

But I had a feeling I already knew the answer.

Shownu knew what I meant though, "My family has actually been looking into girls to marry me off to," he chuckled, "Actually, tons of families have been throwing their daughters at me."

My face fell, and my mood went down along with it.

Why are we talking about this? We're supposed to have fun together right now.

"But for as long as I can avoid that, I will," he squeezed my hand to comfort me. Although us breaking up in the future seemed inevitable, "I don't want to marry some girl for money. And the instant I find my own success, I'm going to tell my parents about us."

My face brightened up and I looked up at Shownu in shock.

"Really?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I really do want to be with you, Yuri."

So there was a chance for us? I really didn't want to give up hope.

I sat at the picnic table during lunch, reading a book. I took a sip of my hot tea, biting a mouthful of my sandwich along with it. While everyone was at the cafeteria having lunch, I always stole away fo have a moment to myself.

The only times I could really enjoy myself was outside of the school building.

'Peaceful.' I thought, setting down my book and looking out at the nature around me.

Ordinary students wouldn't be able to experience a view quite as nice as this, and it was a shame.

"Boo!"

I startled, spilling my tea all over my skirt. My moment of tranquility was ruined.

"Dammit!" I muttered, standing up to alleviate the light burning.

I glared over at the person who jumped out of nowhere.

"Dammit, Wonho. I spilled all of this," I grumbled. I reached into my purse and pulled out my handkerchief to try and dry myself off.

"Sorry," he shrugged, he sitting down across from my stuff. I knew he wasn't really sorry. Wonho grabbed my sandwich and took a whole bite out of it.

I glared at him, giving up when I realized that I wouldn't be able to dry the tea off my clothes.

"What do you want?" I snapped, snatching my food out of his hand. I took my seat and tried to get comfortable. Lunch would be over soon, and at the very least I wanted to enjoy my food.

"I'm bored," Wonho replied, "You're usually entertaining."

"Usually?" I laughed, unsure what he meant. "Thanks... I think."

"It's a compliment," Wonho said, pushing his hair out of his face. I noticed how nice his biceps were, but I suppressed the thought as I finished my food. "I don't think anyone at this school is entertaining... except you, of course."

"Why is that?" I asked, brow raised.

After all, I am a pretty shy person. I fit the troupe of the boring, innocent, do-gooder. Most people ignored me at this Shinwa Academy, aside from Hyeri who probably friended me out of sheer pity.

"Because, I can tell you're trying so hard to fit in." Wonho muttered, digging through his backpack absentmindedly. "It's fun to watch, you're like a fish out of water."

'Did he notice?' I thought, an expression of shock on my face. I was so deeply affected by Wonho's words while he seemed completely uninterested.

'Even he thinks I don't belong here.'

I wondered if Shownu thought that too.

'But of course I don't belong here, I'm just playing a game I can't win.'

Now that my mood was ruined, I stuffed all of my belonging into my purse and decided to go elsewhere.

"Where are you going?" Wonho asked as I stood up, "I was going to share." He waved his bag of potato chips at me, that just so happened to be my favorite.

"Keep it to yourself," I muttered, stomping away.

Listen, I know I might seem bitter right now. Don't tell me that "sticks and stones" bullshit. Words hurt a lot, sometimes the most.

Wonho was the only other person I would consider a "friend" at this school because everyone else turned their noses up at me. I was too broke to fit in with the rich girls, even the nerds wouldn't speak to me.

Hyeri and Wonho were nice enough to look past my short comings. And I commend them both for that.

But Wonho had a knack for getting on my nerves.

He was too childish sometimes and he often said things that offended me.

There was no reason for him to point out my insecurities! Why would he say something he knew would tick me off? I would never point out that he was too muscular to fit into our uniforms, and that he had to get his suits tailored every year.

But I didn't say any of that, I kept that to myself.

As outcasts, we shouldn't highlight the things that make us so different. We should suppress them, hide our flaws.

It made me feel better, anyway.